S. 99Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:40 AM UTC

The James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to examine whether the former president’s home in Columbia, Tennessee, should become part of the National Park System. The law requires a detailed study of the site’s national importance, the practicality of a park designation, and other ways to preserve and interpret the property. The findings must be reported to Congress within three years after funding is provided.

Key Provisions

The Interior Secretary must conduct a special resource study of the Polk Home and surrounding land.
The study must assess the site’s national significance and determine if it is suitable and feasible to designate it as a National Park unit.
It must also explore alternative preservation, protection, and interpretation options involving federal, state, local, private, or nonprofit entities.
The Secretary must consult with interested agencies, governments, organizations, and individuals during the study.
Cost estimates for any federal acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the proposed alternatives must be included.
A final report with results, conclusions, and recommendations must be submitted to the Senate and House energy and natural resources committees within three years of receiving study funds.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 50.

May 3, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 11, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 11, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 30, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-36.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 3, 2017

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 50.

May 3, 2017

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued May 3, 2017

Calendar No. 50

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 99

[Report No. 115–36]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 11, 2017

Mr. Alexander introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

May 3, 2017

Reported by Ms. Murkowski, without amendment

A BILL

To require the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the President James K. Polk Home in Columbia, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act.

Special resource study of James K. Polk presidential home

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2)

Study area

The term study area means the President James K. Polk Home in Columbia, Tennessee, and adjacent property.

(b)

Special resource study

(1)

Study

The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the study area.

(2)

Contents

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

evaluate the national significance of the study area;

(B)

determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System;

(C)

consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations;

(D)

consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and

(E)

identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives.

(3)

Applicable law

The study required under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.

(4)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available for the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—

(A)

the results of the study; and

(B)

any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

May 3, 2017

Reported without amendment